Provide GPs with mandatory training on identifying B12 deficiency & how to treat it
Provide GPs with mandatory training on identifying B12 deficiency & how to treat it
The Issue
Vitamin B12 deficiency frequently goes undiagnosed. Its symptoms are often treated as other (expensive) conditions so health further deteriorates and NHS funds are wasted. If B12 deficiency is identified, it is often grossly under-treated. B12 deficiency left untreated results in serious neurological damage, and can result in death.
GPs SHOULD BE TRAINED TO RECOGNISE, TEST AND TREAT B12 DEFICIENCY PROPERLY.
B12 treatment is inexpensive and easy.
The symptoms of B12 deficiency can include the following: depression (often wrongly treated with antidepressants), anaemia (often wrongly treated with iron tablets), serious fatigue, dizziness, dementia, heart problems, vision disturbances, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis (MS) type symptoms including tingling, problems walking and muscle weakness. B12 deficiency can result in demyelination (where the protective sheaths around nerves in the brain and spinal cord are attacked), just like in MS. B12 deficiency can be caused by an auto-immune condition preventing absorption in the stomach (Pernicious Anaemia), gastritis, age related thinning of the stomach lining, being vegan, having stomach surgery and certain medications.
I have been to my GP with depression for many years, including serious fatigue, tinnitus, tingling limbs, cramps in my legs and heart palpitations. My depression was so severe that at times I questioned whether I wanted to carry on. Expensive consultations and anti-depressants were given over & over again, without success.
Finally, my B12 levels were tested during a full blood count, & showed a serious deficiency. I had initial treatment with injections of B12 every other day, for 2 weeks, which got rid of my depression quickly. These very inexpensive injections, however, have now been stopped by my GP until I've been seen by a consultant. One GP stated I should see a rheumatologist, while the other a haematologist. Both expressed a lack of knowledge of what to do or who to send me to. I am still awaiting a consultation after months of waiting. My symptoms have started to return. Upon reading information from the Pernicious Anaemia Society (a support group for B12 deficiency) and other B12 support groups, I have felt the need to resort to purchasing my own B12 injections from Germany, where it is available over the counter so that the BNF / NICE guidelines on treatment of B12 deficiency can be achieved.
This is outrageous. The NHS are haemorrhaging funds by treating symptoms of potential B12 deficiency with expensive, but inappropriate drugs, due to a widespread lack of awareness of B12 deficiency. GPs need training so that they are fully aware of what B12 deficiency is, the potential for B12 deficiency when presented with tell-tale signs, and they need to have access to clear, best practice guidance on how to treat the condition.
SUPPORT FOR GPs IS ALREADY BEING WRITTEN. IT JUST NEEDS SUPPORT AND PROMOTION!
The B12 Society are actively writing up a b12 education programme to be presented to the RCGP for accreditation and provide free support and advice to the public within their support group 'Vitamin B12 Wake Up' on facebook.
Please sign this petition to help save precious NHS funds through stopping inappropriate treatment, and to help improve the lives of many people who may have B12 deficiency, who have not yet been diagnosed.
5,103
The Issue
Vitamin B12 deficiency frequently goes undiagnosed. Its symptoms are often treated as other (expensive) conditions so health further deteriorates and NHS funds are wasted. If B12 deficiency is identified, it is often grossly under-treated. B12 deficiency left untreated results in serious neurological damage, and can result in death.
GPs SHOULD BE TRAINED TO RECOGNISE, TEST AND TREAT B12 DEFICIENCY PROPERLY.
B12 treatment is inexpensive and easy.
The symptoms of B12 deficiency can include the following: depression (often wrongly treated with antidepressants), anaemia (often wrongly treated with iron tablets), serious fatigue, dizziness, dementia, heart problems, vision disturbances, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis (MS) type symptoms including tingling, problems walking and muscle weakness. B12 deficiency can result in demyelination (where the protective sheaths around nerves in the brain and spinal cord are attacked), just like in MS. B12 deficiency can be caused by an auto-immune condition preventing absorption in the stomach (Pernicious Anaemia), gastritis, age related thinning of the stomach lining, being vegan, having stomach surgery and certain medications.
I have been to my GP with depression for many years, including serious fatigue, tinnitus, tingling limbs, cramps in my legs and heart palpitations. My depression was so severe that at times I questioned whether I wanted to carry on. Expensive consultations and anti-depressants were given over & over again, without success.
Finally, my B12 levels were tested during a full blood count, & showed a serious deficiency. I had initial treatment with injections of B12 every other day, for 2 weeks, which got rid of my depression quickly. These very inexpensive injections, however, have now been stopped by my GP until I've been seen by a consultant. One GP stated I should see a rheumatologist, while the other a haematologist. Both expressed a lack of knowledge of what to do or who to send me to. I am still awaiting a consultation after months of waiting. My symptoms have started to return. Upon reading information from the Pernicious Anaemia Society (a support group for B12 deficiency) and other B12 support groups, I have felt the need to resort to purchasing my own B12 injections from Germany, where it is available over the counter so that the BNF / NICE guidelines on treatment of B12 deficiency can be achieved.
This is outrageous. The NHS are haemorrhaging funds by treating symptoms of potential B12 deficiency with expensive, but inappropriate drugs, due to a widespread lack of awareness of B12 deficiency. GPs need training so that they are fully aware of what B12 deficiency is, the potential for B12 deficiency when presented with tell-tale signs, and they need to have access to clear, best practice guidance on how to treat the condition.
SUPPORT FOR GPs IS ALREADY BEING WRITTEN. IT JUST NEEDS SUPPORT AND PROMOTION!
The B12 Society are actively writing up a b12 education programme to be presented to the RCGP for accreditation and provide free support and advice to the public within their support group 'Vitamin B12 Wake Up' on facebook.
Please sign this petition to help save precious NHS funds through stopping inappropriate treatment, and to help improve the lives of many people who may have B12 deficiency, who have not yet been diagnosed.
5,103
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Petition created on 24 January 2020